Clear Skies for Bradley Beach 5K Run

BRADLEY BEACH, NJ - The fourteenth annual Bradley Beach 5K Run was the host event for 728 road racers on a clear, somewhat humid, Saturday morning, August 20, and Richard Angelillo, 33, of Philadelphia, PA, was first into the finish-line chute set up by Elite Racing Systems of Clifton, on Ocean Avenue at the Gazebo area, as the digital clock displayed his sixteen minutes and 16 seconds championship racing time as 16:16. Coming in second from the 3.1 mile course that also started on Ocean Avenue at the Gazebo area at 8:30, with racers following the lead police vehicle driven by Patrolman James Arnold, on the loop course that includes the streets adjacent to both Fletcher and Sylvan Lakes, was John Jankowski, also 33 years old, of Point Pleasant at 16:40 and third place finisher went to Short Hills’ Matthew Deshaw, 15, at 16:51.

“We were a pack of five for about the first mile, then it slimmed down to a pack of three, then at mile two there were just two of us, then at 2 ¼ miles I went out in front and kept the lead,” said Angelillo in describing his winning performance. “It was in September of last year in Philadelphia, I did a 16:02,” the champion informed when asked his best racing time for this distance. “With the lakes and ocean the course is beautiful,” he further added and of the weather: “It’s gorgeous!”

Tina Morrison, 26, of Philadelphia, PA, was the women’s winner at 18:44 (13th place overall). Kristne Claussen, 34, of Atlantic Highlands was second for the women at 19:31 (25th overall) and Brooklyn’s Sophie Barnathan, 37, was third at 19:34 (27th overall).

Tina Morrison crosses finish at 18:44

“Yes,” Morrison answered when asked if she were the leading lady for the whole 5K distance and she knew that because she could hear the cheering crowd say, “Here’s the first woman” or “here’s the first female.” She thought the weather, “was just great – it was nice and sunny with a little breeze.”

Course records, both male and female, were set by Harry Norton, Massachusetts, in 2007 at 15:24 and Michelle Lilienthal, Iowa, in 2006 at 17:08.

Dave Kaplan, 66, of Ocean Grove, lifeguard in Bradley Beach at La Reine Avenue, finished at 23:56, (8 seconds faster that two years ago) and said, “This is my fastest time for this course,” and added that 18:53 was his fastest time ever for a 5K, raced about 25 years ago at Lake Takanassee (in Long Branch). Kaplan likes the course because, “It’s fast and flat.”

Michael LaMonte, 40, of Elizabeth, finished at 35:10 and this 11:20 per-mile pace is fine. He was in 616th place overall meaning he beat 112 other competitors. But LaMonte had a handicap - a self-imposed precious handicap. He had pushed a double stroller the whole 3.1 miles with his adorable daughters Olivia, 3, and Isabel, 20 months, comfortably nestled inside that stroller.

The eighty-year-olds or octogenarians were also competing and all won age-group awards: Pete Semple, 80, Spring Lake at 40:17; Arthur Hoenig, 81, Lakewood at 42:01; Hal Smith, 81, Freehold at 42:21.

The Clarence Lurch Award, a trophy mounted on a plaque, had its beginning ten years ago when Lurch asked his grandson to phone the Bradley Beach 5K event and ask if there were awards for eighty-year-old participants. Lacking any, it was decided that Lurch should come and that an award would be presented to him. Thus the award was created and Lurch had raced for many of the last nine years to receive the award.

Lurch, now a nonagenarian, can no longer win the Clarence Lurch award, that went to Pete Semple (see above) because he simply is too old. Yes, the founder of Lertch (sic) Wrecking did race today and many of the waiting-for-awards racers were asked by the race director to go to the finish line and welcome their Wall Township racing friend as he officially scored a 1:19:20. It might be time for Lurch’s grandson to make another telephone call.

One might conclude after reading the immediately above paragraphs that these very mature (not old) racers would agree wholeheartedly with the famous quote by baseball legend Jackie Robinson: “Life is not a Spectator Sport.”

Captain John W. Zech of the Bradley Beach First Aid, was glad to report, “No major troubles today, but we did have two minor problems that we treated: one was of dehydration, the other a bloody arm.” He also informed that two Bradley Beach medical vehicles were available for emergencies along with two from Avon as well as the Neptune OEM, which included an air-conditioned bus if needed and could serve as many as 32 patients.

This annual event actually begins at 6:30 p.m. the night before with the Kids’ Races held on Bradley Boulevard adjacent to Sylvan Lake and consists of distances of 25 yards to a half mile and is organized by Todd Migdon along with other Bradley Beach residents. Because of the weather the total event had to be shortened: “ The races were started about 6:15 - we tried to beat the lightning and the intending rain - we only ran about five heats, but all in all things went well,” said Migdon.

Stu Coogan, race director, awarded gift certificates and trophies to the aforementioned 5K winners and age-group leaders at the area next to the Gazebo with its many benches where the wilted racers were relaxing and enjoying refreshments of bagels, bananas, oranges, power bars and bottled water provided by members of the food committee headed by Amanda Wheeler. Many random prizes were offered due to the generosity of the Bradley Beach business community. Fred and Anna Torres of the Elite Racing Systems, Clifton, did the computer results on ChronotrackB and provided all the equipment for the finish-line activities.

“I want to thank the Police Department, the First Aid Squad, Public Works Department and our sponsors for their financial aid. We had over 70 volunteers whose assistance made things run smoothly and a special thanks to Phil Hinck and other members of the JSRC. I also want to acknowledge the patience of motorists who had to be detoured for the safety of our racers,” said director Coogan in concluding comments.

Road-racing events continue with Saturday in the Park Women’s 5K on September 3 in Holmdel Park at 9 a.m. info call 732-571-2162 or www.saturdayinthepark5k.org. At the Long Branch beachfront on Monday (Labor Day) September 5 is the Pier House 5K (Jersey Shore Golden Grand Prix) at 8:30 a.m. info call 732-571-2162 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. On Sunday, September 18, at 10 a.m. (registration 8:30 a.m.) is the Jersey Shore University Medical Center 2nd annual 5K Run/Walk and Community Day on Route 33 in Neptune, info call 732-776-4075 or www.jerseyshoreuniversitymedicalcenter.com.

At the Belmar boardwalk, across from Dunkin Donuts on Sunday, September 11 at 6 p.m. is the annual Jersey Shore Memorial Run (not a race) to memorialize all from the Jersey Shore who tragically died on that infamous day. There is no fee. Show up and jog quietly to Spring Lake with other fellow mourners and enjoy a special, solemn occasion. You won't regret having given of your time.